I was laid off ... trying to figure out if it is worth calling a lawyer

[Anonymous]

This is the hardest type of discrimination to prove because what companies come back with as a defense (that they have on their side) is that they laid off the employees who were the highest earners. Who are the highest earners? Those who have been there the longest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 55 and just received a nice layoff package from company where I have worked 14 years. I have suspected it was coming since last summer when out of the blue, an executive that I worked with asked for me to be removed from an account (I am in sales). I had just received a big raise, had overachieved my quota the past 2 years and also in 2017, always good ratings. But he was very pushy about wanting a change and I was removed and put on a terrible territory in 2018. After not selling a thing on 1st quarter and basically having to lie to show anything in the pipeline in 2nd quarter, I was called by manager and told I had 30 days to find new job in company (extremely unlikely as hiring manager has to go thru major hoops to hire a marked person for layoff.) Or I was employed until end of June and I get a small severance. Meanwhile since last fall I have been trying to find a new job out side of my company. I was very close for my dream job and devastating for me, they did not offer me the job after extensive hiring process.

I do feel I was targetted for layoff for my age more than anything else. I work at a high tech company that wants to appear younger. And I can see that most everyone who were laid off were over 50. Its systematic and everyone seems to know it.

Is it worth calling a lawyer or do big companies have HR that make sure they are not liable for employment issues? I am not sure what would be of interest to an employment lawyer - whining does not count for much!

I can think of a handful of companies this may be based on your description, and have worked for a couple of them. They have armies of lawyers - you will not win. Most high tech companies that have older work forces are desperate to turn over their aging staffs, and are ramping up college hiring to send out an army of drones to sell or support their product who earn less and won't ask pesky questions.

[Anonymous]

Definitely speak to an attorney. If you are in VA, I recommend John Cook. He won a difficult case for me. She the bastards!

[Anonymous]

File a complaint with EEOC. They aren't fast but they do a good investigation. Sometimes, a company will settle once they are apprised of the complaint. You have 180 days to file but you should file as quickly as possible. Are you eligible for unemployment? If so, apply and start collecting. Find out if state where job was has their own labor complaint Dept and file with them. It is difficult to prove but not impossible. Go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:File a complaint with EEOC. They aren't fast but they do a good investigation. Sometimes, a company will settle once they are apprised of the complaint. You have 180 days to file but you should file as quickly as possible. Are you eligible for unemployment? If so, apply and start collecting. Find out if state where job was has their own labor complaint Dept and file with them. It is difficult to prove but not impossible. Go for it!

NP here and the only question I would have with this approach is whether you as the claimant retain the ability to settle the case or whether the EEOC proceeds independently of what you want. I don't know the answer but does the EEOC represent the claimant or the state in terms of vindicating the state's interest in eliminating discrimination? If the EEOC represents the state you will lose some of the leverage to settle because they may not withdraw the complaint if you ask them to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plaintiff's employment lawyers typically work on contingency and are usually happy to schedule a free consult with a new potential client. I don't see any downside to calling a couple to see what they think of yiur situation. Except the cost of your time.

It's always worth a free consult.

[Anonymous]

It is so hard to prove OP. I'm a lawyer. It might be worth it to have a lawyer write a letter to negotiate the best settlement but that will probably be it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:File a complaint with EEOC. They aren't fast but they do a good investigation. Sometimes, a company will settle once they are apprised of the complaint. You have 180 days to file but you should file as quickly as possible. Are you eligible for unemployment? If so, apply and start collecting. Find out if state where job was has their own labor complaint Dept and file with them. It is difficult to prove but not impossible. Go for it!

Talk to a lawyer first, before you file a complaint!

[Anonymous]

Everyone is expendable and your company can toss you in the trash anytime they want. So keep it in mind when you are giving your all to your company, sacrificing your personal life and family time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone is expendable and your company can toss you in the trash anytime they want. So keep it in mind when you are giving your all to your company, sacrificing your personal life and family time.

Word - from someone who gave up winter break only to be fired later.